David Stopsky

As a teacher, I expect my students to think critically about their world – locally and globally -, challenge speculation with empirical evidence and apply knowledge they gain to improve their lives and communities. My role is to facilitate the student’s learning and to offer guidance in their academic goals. My commitment to all students is to provide a thorough working knowledge of the content that can be applied in their life.

It is my duty to provide a safe environment where students are able to express their thoughts openly without fear of being ‘wrong’. I must provide an enriched curriculum that expands student knowledge, emphasizes open-mindedness and gives each student the time needed to master the content at hand. A sense of humor doesn’t hurt either!

Achievement of these goals requires adaptation and implementation of any techniques necessary to help each student critically understand the content, while maintaining state curriculum standards and district goals. The use and – more importantly – the interaction of technology and the student is imperative, otherwise upward mobility in any terms will be severely limited. Instruction must be differentiated and individualized to increase content comprehension and retention. Assessment must utilize both formal and informal techniques that provide an accurate and comprehensive representation of every student’s abilities and knowledge of the content.

This is my pledge to all students and their education!

My ethos is derived from observation and student teaching at St. Louis Public’s Gateway Institute of Technology High School, substitute teaching with the School District of Clayton, learning and studying the techniques and practices of educators at Webster University, discovering the world’s histories and social progressions through reading and first-hand experience, and being a life-long observer and analyzer of people and their behaviors.

I do not believe in a ‘one-size fits all’ approach, as every teacher utilizes methods and techniques that work best for them. I do subscribe to the belief of adaptability, however, and will utilize any method or technique that enables me to always be a better teacher. In order to uphold my beliefs, self-assessment and modification is essential!